Chapter 43: Favorites? What's the Real Story

AN: Next up is the almost complete Percy Found What? A telling of the stories in the demigod files.

Thalia grinned. "You wanna know what's fun?"

"What?"

"The fact that you're your Dad's automatic favorite," Thalia smirked. "It means all your other siblings must be pretty awful."

"I don't know where you're going with this and I don't think I want to know."

"I mean she's right," Piper shifted slightly as Percy's glare turned to her. "Antaeus was pretty bad but so were all the others. He might not even be the worse."

"Rank them," Thalia suggested.

"Sciron is low," Jason volunteered.

"Around the same as Chyrasoar. Probably a little lower," Hazel agreed. "Arion's up high."

Percy groaned. "First, I can't believe any of you are getting into this. Second of all, no. Arion is not."

"Compared to the others he is," argued Annabeth as Percy groaned even louder.

"Pegasus is far better," Reyna said simply as she crossed her arms with a satisfied smirk when no one challenged her.

"So Pegasus, Arion, Chryasoar, and Sciron," Leo listed. "Who else?"

"Polyphemus," Grover bleated.

"Really G-man? You too?"

"You have some pretty awful siblings," Grover said defensively. Then he paused. "Except Tyson."

Tyson grinned. "Percy is my favorite brother. Triton is not nice."

"He still has to rank higher than the others," Rachel said.

"I'd say higher than Chyrasoar. Around as terrible as Arion. He wouldn't kill us but he doesn't like us," Percy explained then frowned. "Why are the horses the best ones on this list?"

"Because horses are the best," Hazel argued.

"And the magical ones even better," Reyna agreed.

"Kym wasn't too horrible," Jason said to get an incredulous look from Percy.

"Are you kidding? She tried to kill both of us and wants to destroy ships with lots of storms. She wasn't horrible but she wasn't so nice either."

"Better than Charybdis," Clarisse grunted. "I hate that whirlpool."

Percy cringed. "I don't understand how that thing's my sister. Ugh."

"I have one," Frank said as he raised his hand slowly. "He's not someone Percy's ever met. Or any of us but he wasn't bad."

"If you're saying Periclymenus he's probably the best," Percy agreed. "Between Arion and Pegasus. Who is somehow still the best."

"Besides Tyson," Chris reminded him.

"Tyson is the best," Ella squawked in agreement.

"Are we including the ones that you guys haven't met?" asked Apollo. "Because I have a lot."

"There was that evil guy who sent the original Jason on the Golden Fleece quest," Jason agreed. "Pelias and his brother Neleus. Pelias was pretty sucky but Neleus was good. I think he was actually Nestor and Periclymenus's father and the king of Pylos. Then Hercules killed him and that made Nestor king."

"That's where my family is from," Frank said. "So it sounds kind of right."

"That's it," Percy decided. "We're not doing this. I'm tired and I want to sleep."

"I still want to know what we missed though," Jason asked. "What did you and Nico talk about?"

"And what was the thing you said I'd want to see?" Leo asked. "And when will I be seeing it?"

"Not telling you and I don't know," Percy told them both sharply. "Are we done?"

"Yes," Blitz interrupted before anyone else could answer. "Hearth and I want to sleep. The poor elf is already sleeping because the lucky guy doesn't have to listen to any of your nonsense."

"Good," Percy said. "Then that's it. Goodnight everyone."

Everyone started to get up but Thalia grabbed Jason's arm and gave him a look. Annabeth bit her lip and looked between her friend and boyfriend. "Piper, Leo, you two should stay back for a second too."

The two exchanged confused glances but hung back. Percy was one of the first to the door but Clarisse was blocking his way. "One second punk. We need to talk."

"What?"

"You know what I want."

"I really don't."

"Even I know you're not that stupid Jackson. Come on."

"Fine!" Percy threw up his arms in exasperation and marched out of the room as Clarisse stomped after him angrily.

Though everyone stopped for a few moments to watch Percy and Clarisse's interaction with wide eyes the room emptied out quickly again after. All that was left was Piper, Leo, Jason, Thalia, and Annabeth.

"What did you guys want to talk about?" Piper asked looking between the two older girls.

"I actually just needed to talk to Jason," Thalia shrugged. "No clue what Annabeth wants."

"Just to warn Piper and Leo about something," Annabeth said carefully.

"Same here," agreed Thalia. "Say your goodnights children. It's time for Jason and me to go."

"You know I'm older than you."

"Physically."

"Pretty much chronologically too," Annabeth noted. "Considering the amount of time in your life you were actually awake and conscious."

"Considering how much Jason gets knocked out I'd say it almost equals at least a year as a tree," Leo said.

Jason groaned. "Does it even matter?"

"Kind of."

"The math would be interesting."

"We all know I'm actually the older one though."

"Not till we do the math."

"Do it later," Piper advised pecking Jason on the cheek. "Night Jason. You too Thalia."

"Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be stressful."

"Do I get a good night too?" Leo asked blinking innocently at Thalia.

"I won't even dignify that with an answer. As for you Annabeth, if I hear you didn't actually sleep and were up all night over books, notes, research, or even worse Percy I'll use my rights as eldest demigod to punish you."

"Good night," Annabeth said with an eye-roll. "Piper, Leo, let's find a place to talk."

There was another moment of silence after Jason and Thalia watched the other three leave. Then Jason looked at his older sister who's eyes were watching him worriedly. "What's up?"

"What we're watching tomorrow. I thought I should warn you about it."

"The war? The fight in Manhattan?"

"Not just yet," Thalia assured him. "This part might have actually messed me up more personally. And I know you've handled something similar but I thought you deserved the warning."

"About what?"

"Around Christmas before the Battle of Manhattan, Percy, Nico, and I were all summoned for a quest in the underworld. We ended up meeting this goddess, or I guess I should say spirit. She showed us the ghosts we regretted. And I saw Mom."

"Her ghost? Her mania?"

"Not exactly. Just the goddess picking up on it," Thalia grimaced. "Either way it wasn't pleasant. I just thought you deserved the warning. I can't imagine letting you walk into that unprepared."

"It's not going to be easy to see again."

"For either of us. But the underworld was just full of ghosts for me. I'm not like Percy. I don't know how he's been down there so many times."

"No one's like Percy," Jason scoffed. "But I guess this time we'll be watching this together. From what you've told me we've never needed mom and we shouldn't let her haunt us either."

"She won't," Thalia promised. "Not anymore. You're the only family I need."

"Tell that to everyone else here."

"You know what I meant."

"Yeah. I do," Jason sighed. "I'm not really tired yet. Can you tell me more? About our life before? And you on the run?"

"Only if you tell me a bit more about that wolf and roman training."

"Deal."

Annabeth had led Piper and Leo to the place where they ate their meals. At the edge of one of the tables she sat and gestured for the two younger demigods to sit across from her.

"So?"

"You know how Percy said you would enjoy what you would see tomorrow?" Annabeth asked him.

"Yeah?"

"Well," Annabeth sighed. "That was one of the most important things we'd done with Beckendorf and Silena. That is until the week of the war."

"So that's what this is about?" Piper asked. "The siblings we never met?"

"The ones you should have," Annabeth said with the shake of her head. "Silena would have loved you. She hated what most of her cabin was about. Just like you. And Beckendorf would have been so proud of all the things you've done Leo. About your inventions and how you sacrificed yourself, just like he did."

"But I'm here," Leo said somberly. "He isn't."

"I'm just glad we finally have the chance to learn more about them," Piper sighed. "More than Silena being a martyr, a traitor, a hero, and a spy. I just wanted to know who she actually was."

"You'll get a better sense of that tomorrow. Of both of them. They'd both like you a lot and be really proud of you. Beckendorf would have loved what you did with Festus especially."

"Festus?"

"You'll see how he reappeared at camp after almost a century tomorrow," Annabeth promised. "Like you'll see a lot of things. I just thought it might be nice to hear a little about it first."

"Thanks," Piper told her. "Come on Leo. I don't want to wake Jaz when I get in bed and I'm sure with all the complaining Blitz was doing earlier he and Tyson are both snoring already too."

"You don't know how much," Leo groaned as they left. "Tyson snores like an elephant."

"I'm going to see if Percy's done yet."

"Remember though, Thalia's still watching," Piper called over her shoulder as she and Leo left the room. Annabeth rolled her eyes and went to try and find Percy.

When Percy had left the viewing room he'd marched straight into the private room he and Annabeth had found before. Clarisse had marched after him and slammed the door behind him. "Sit so we can talk Jackson."

"Sure," Percy grumbled. "Maybe after a please."

"Sit your butt down."

"Fine. What do you want?"

"Are we really going to watch what I think we are tomorrow?"

"The battle or the other thing?"

"My brothers you idiot."

"Probably if what the fates said is anything to go by. I mean There were three big things I found before the Battle of Manhattan. Not to mention the one's already shown or the ones I found after. But your Dad's chariot was one of them."

"Great. Why do I always get dragged into your messes?"

"You assume I want to be part of these things any more than you do."

"Is everyone going to see it all? Everything? Because I know you did. And you managed to keep your word about not telling anyone about it but that's all about to end."

"They already know, Clarisse."

"You promised."

"Yeah, but they saw what I did accidentally in the Sea of Monsters with your dad. No one's going to judge you or even say a word. Who cares? You're a hero Clarisse and your dad and your brothers are just giant bullies."

"My brothers are. Dad isn't the worst."

"I still like his Roman form better," Percy muttered.

"I just don't want to be made out as a coward."

"You're not a coward. You're one of the bravest people I know. You're strong and yeah, you are kind of a jerk sometimes but you also take care of the people you love and you showed everyone what a great person you are. No one cares about the other things Clarisse. It's your actions that matter and most the time they've been a lot better than lots of others."

"Yeah. Whatever," Clarisse said.

"Percy?" Annabeth's voice came as she opened the door.

"Look, the Princess is here now too. That's it then. I'm leaving," Clarisse flung the door open further and let Annabeth in. As she stormed out they could hear her muttering. "Maybe Reyna will help me tear up a few more dummies before bed. Or a spar. That would be even better."

"What was that about?" Annabeth asked taking a seat next to Percy.

"She wants to make sure no one sees what I saw with Phobos and Deimos. I tried to tell her it doesn't really matter. I'm not sure how well it worked though. Why are you still up?"

"I wanted to talk to Piper and Leo about the Dragon and their siblings. Thalia and Jason are still up too."

"Our quest with Nico," Percy sighed. "I really hate all this."

"I know."

"I mean some of it's been great. And I'm glad I get to be with everyone and they get to meet each other. I just don't get it. Is it really worth it?"

"Maybe. We still don't really know what all of this is for. But even with how much it hurts to relive it some of it has been good. We've resolved problems that have been chasing us for years. We've all gotten closer and got to know each other better. And some of us needed this. Look at Nico, how much it helped him. It sounds crazy but I think we need to keep doing this."

"I just want it to be my life."

"I don't like all our moments being shown either. That's the one thing I don't understand. It's not like they all need to see that."

"I do like it for one reason," Percy said pulling her up onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. "I get reminded how much I love you."

Annabeth squirmed in his lap as he tickled her sides and slapped at his hands. Her laughter made Percy's grin grow until a sound came from the hallway.

"Shoot."

"What?"

"Quiet. Thalia said she'd invoke her rights as oldest if she found us out tonight."

"Then she better not find us," Percy smirked kissing her one more time and pulling her up. "Should we run for it?"

Annabeth intertwined her fingers in his. "You know, I think I could stay here a little longer and get away with it."

"Sounds good to me."